Ex-boyfriend charged in shooting death of mother of 4 arrested

HOUSTON – Houston police have arrested a man they say shot and killed his ex-girlfriend at an apartment complex in southwest Houston.

Damon Jonard James, 41, is charged with murder. He is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, Rita Joyce Salton.

Salton's body was found on the sidewalk at Sunswept Townhomes in the 12200 block of Thicket Green shortly before 4:30 a.m. Monday.

The 43-year-old mother was heading to work when James allegedly ambushed her outside her apartment and shot her multiple times.

Police initially investigated the shooting as a possible robbery, but friends and family members said they believed James was responsible.

Salton's loved ones said the two had a troublesome relationship and they warned her to get away from him.

Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies said they responded to a tip regarding James' whereabouts and arrested him Tuesday without incident.